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We love camping! It’s a great way of engaging more with the outdoors and (usually) a way of holidaying that bit cheaper. But isn’t there a lot of ‘stuff’? One of the best things about camping is that you can make it as basic or as luxurious as you wish. We all have our own personal preferences, and these may change from camping trip to camping trip too. Are you a ‘glamper’ or more of a bare-essentials type of camper?

What camping equipment do I need?

Camping isn’t necessarily a cheap endeavour. Yes it’s good fun and you’ll save money on hotels in the future, but camping equipment can get very expensive. Buying second-hand or end-of-line stock is a good idea for saving money; you can pick up some real bargains such as tents that have only been used once by new campers who decided camping wasn’t for them after all. Look out on local social media selling pages, Gumtree, and local small ads.

While we would advocate starting small and building up your supplies, it’s a nicer experience all round if you have the essentials to hand on a trip. Scrimping on camping gear can be a false economy if it means your holiday is more fraught than fun.

So what exactly do you need for a camping holiday with your family?

Here we have a camping equipment list. Some of it is essential, and some of it not so essential. Pick and choose what you feel you need and once you’re happy with your selection, keep the list somewhere safe for next time. While a camping equipment list is not compulsory, we have found that we have forgotten to take something every time and have ended up in a shop or on the scrounge with fellow campers not long after arrival. A list comes in very handy to stop us forgetting the same things over and over.

Camping equipment list

Please feel free to print out this list, scribble on it, add your own kit, keep it for next time. Hope you find it useful.

Unless you’re going to be eating at the local pub every breakfast, lunch, and dinner time (we’re not judging, we’ve done that too!) then you will need to take some basic kitchen equipment.

Cool box and cool packs

Something to cook on – hob, gas stove, teppanyaki grill for example

Lighter – or box of matches

2 x saucepans

1 x frying pan

spatula

cooking/serving spoons

vegetable peeler

potato masher

chopping board and knives

strainer/colander

kitchen roll and disinfectant spray

cutlery

plates

bowls

cups / mugs

tin opener

bottle opener / corkscrew

plastic washing up bowl and drainer

washing up liquid

dishcloth and tea-towels

Health and hygiene:-

A wash bag with soap, flannel, toothbrush and toothpaste

A first aid kit with antiseptic cream and sticking plasters as a minimum, a pair of scissors, tweezers, and nail clippers

baby wipes

A hairbrush

A dustpan and brush for sweeping out the tent

Loo roll

Hand towels

Large towels for swimming / showering

Shower gel

Shampoo

Wash powder / laundry detergent

bin bags / plastic bags for dirty washing

clothes pegs

clothes line / hanger

Around the tent:-

Porch / awning with pegs

Floor mats / tent carpet

Dining table and chairs

Armchairs

Storage cupboards

Bin bags for litter

Water carrier

Toys and games, books, pens and pencils

Electrical equipment:-

Some people prefer to go off-grid while others are up to the eyeballs in electrical equipment. There are no right and wrongs here!

EHU cable

Fairy lights

Device charging leads

Power pack

Electric fridge/cool box

Kettle

Toaster

TV

DVD player

Radiator / heater

And how do you carry all of this camping gear in your car?

Check out the inflatable HandiRack and HandiHoldall soft roof box.

What camping food to take?

If you’re planning on cooking your own meals on your camping trip then you are definitely going to need some food. Some campsites have very good supermarkets on site where you can get hold of everything you need at a reasonable price. Others not so much. Our car is usually so full of camping gear that getting a week’s worth of food in there too just isn’t possible, nor is it a good idea to keep a week’s worth of food at a time, especially if you’ve only got a camping fridge to store it all. We usually go to a nearby supermarket once the tent is pitched and get enough food to get us through the first couple of days.

Planning meals is best. You really only should buy the exact ingredients you will cook and eat. There’s not much point in buying food out of habit, finding you’ve no way of keeping it viable, and then it going to waste. Planning is key!

The sort of meals that we cook while camping are…..

Chicken wraps

Hot dogs and salad

Mince and pasta

Burgers and salad

All-day breakfast

Stir-fry

We cook meals which need a small number of pans, or can be cooked on the grill. Roast chicken and all the trimmings would be lovely, but roasting a chicken when camping is a big ask! We do know people who take a slow cooker and leave things cooking in the tent while out for the day. We’ve not done this yet – it’s too much of a risk with the electrics which aren’t always 100% reliable.

The long six weeks of the summer holidays can take some filling. When you’re used to bashing around all day between school, work, and after-school clubs, the relative calm of the summer holidays can be a weird feeling. Yes us adults probably still have to work through them and we spend the time juggling work with entertaining the children – will you stay sane until September?

Here are some ideas we’ve put together of things you can do with your children to while away the time and ensure that the time spent is more quality than quarrelsome.

What have you got planned with your kids this summer?

Arts and crafts for kids

Kids love arts and crafts. Arts and craft activities teach children dexterity skills, creativity, and patience. Crafting means they get to make something that is unique and special to them, and can provide great memories. Have a look at some of these wonderful arts and crafts activities for children.

1. Make a mini raft and float it on a stream – this is a great suggestion from Louise at Thimble & Twig – check out: how to make a mini raft.

Adventures with kids don’t have to be spectacular. There are some great adventures to be had right on your doorstep. Whether this is at your local beach, park, or woods, there is some fun to be found in every little trip. Check out these ideas for getting out and about with your mini adventurers.

8. Go blackberry picking. Blackberries are usually ripe in the UK from late July onwards but can last until October, depending on the weather. They can be found both in the countryside and urban areas – look alongside railway lines (be careful!) and in industrial areas. Wash them before using in case of pollutants and use them in a crumble or combine with cooking apples to make your own blackberry jelly – here’s a recipe for blackberry jelly which might help.

11. Go rockpooling – have you done this? You can find all sorts of weird and wonderful sealife by rockpooling – Here are Cerys’s top tips for good rockpooling rainydaymum.co.uk/rock-pooling/.

12. Go on a bike ride. Check out the Sustrans website for suggestions for family-friendly cycling routes around the UK.

13. Do a Treasure Trail – check out www.treasuretrails.co.uk – get yourself a treasure trail for your local town, crack the clues to solve the puzzle, and find out about places in your town you didn’t know existed. This is an activity that takes a few hours and can be done in one go, or in parts until it’s finished.

14. Make a kite and fly it – making your own kite and taking it to your local playing field or beach to test it out is a craft activity and adventure activity in one. Here’s a great article on how to make your own kite.

15. Take a dog for a walk. If you don’t have a dog, check out www.borrowmydoggy.com/ where you can access other peoples’ dogs who need walking. All the fun of your own dog, with much fewer of the hassles!

16. Have a family photography competition. A family photography competition will get your children engaging with their surroundings. You can do this at home, in the garden, in your local area, or even when on holiday in a new place. Here’s Michelle with how they did one when on a day trip to the seaside. www.mummyfromtheheart.com/2017/10/how-to-create-family-photography.html.

17. Learn to kayak. Kayaking is a great activity for the summer. Have you got a lake near you to have a practice? Don’t forget your life jacket.

With our range of inflatable kayaks, owning a kayak just got a whole lot easier. Check out the INTEX Challenger K2 Kayak – it’s a good one for a pair to go out adventuring together.

Rainy Day activities for children

Well it is the UK after all, so here are some ideas for things to do with kids on a rainy day. Fingers crossed the rain doesn’t last long!

18. Build a den or blanket fort. I don’t know a child anywhere that doesn’t love to do this, even on a sunny day when they could be in the garden!

20. Take on a reading challenge. Does your local library have a summer holiday reading challenge? It’s a great way of getting children to consume books and lots of them.

If your local library isn’t taking part then check out summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/ for more information on how to join in The Reading Agency’s 2019 reading challenge.

21. Research your family tree. Get your children finding out more about their extended family and ancestors and creating a family tree to share with others. This is also a good way of making the time to visit family members you don’t see as often as you should. Have you researched your family tree?

22. Make a scrapbook. Get all those clippings and photos you’ve been storing away in ‘that’ drawer and start a scrapbook. It can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Here is a good post about starting a scrapbook and the sort of content you can include – www.metrokids.com/MetroKids/April-2011/Start-Scrapbooking/.

Things to do in the garden with kids

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, private or shared, then there’s a whole host of things you can do with your children – or they can do themselves while you supervise not too far away! I bet you did some of these things yourself as a child too.

23. Make LEGO cable cars. You can do these indoors down the stairs but it’s much more fun outdoors. Run the cable from an upstairs window and launch the cable cars down to the bottom of your garden.

24. ‘Paint’ a wall – sometimes all it takes to keep kids entertained is a bucket of water and a brush. If you have a willing wall in your garden, letting your kids pretend to paint it is a seriously good activity, especially on a warm day. Thanks to Beth for this suggestion – see how it works at twinderelmo.co.uk/water-painting-the-ordinary-moments/.

25. Do some gardening. Whether you want to teach your children the value of home-grown fruit and vegetables or the benefits of a bit of weeding, gardening will certainly keep little hands and minds occupied. Don’t know where to start? Here’s a post on how to start gardening with children from Claire of The Ladybird’s Adventures.

26. Step the garden skills up a level by creating a wildlife pond. A pond that wildlife will appreciate for drinking and cooling off doesn’t need to be big. Here’s how Mark made his:

29. Hold a pool party. I know we don’t get the weather in the UK to justify us all having a swimming pool in our back gardens all year round but we do often get enough for a few days a year, and if it’s a heated spa pool, then it’s even more feasible. Create a pool party atmosphere with some fairy lights, some tunes, and mocktails with umbrellas.Check out the Intex PureSpa range of hot tubs available on our online store.

30. Wash the teddies – this is a surprisingly fun activity. Not only can you watch the teddies going round and round in the washing machine (it’s better than daytime telly!) then you can hang them on the line in the sunshine.

31. Wash the car. Who’d have thought messing about with water would be so much fun? Keep them entertained for longer (and use less water) by using buckets and sponges rather than a hose pipe. Here is a good guide to how to wash your car.

32. Make a weather station and learn how to use it. You can measure rainfall, temperature, and wind speed and direction. Keep track daily and use the data to talk about weather patterns. You never know, you might nurture a future famous meteorologist! Read: How to build a weather station.

33. Do some chalk pavement art. Making a little mess and creating something colourful – what’s not to love?

34. Have a back garden camp out. You don’t need to go far to get your camping fix. Pop your tent up in the garden and sleep in there overnight. It’s cheaper than a camping holiday and the toilets are always nearer and as you like them!

Things to do in the community

The summer holidays are a great time to get your kids more involved in their local community. Here are some good ideas for getting out and about and meeting more people and engaging more with their local area.

36. Take part in a ParkRun. ParkRun is a free weekly event that takes part across the UK. It’s a timed 5k run and many are open to juniors too. Check out Erin’s post about taking part in Parkrun as a family.

Our HandiMoova is a great piece of kit for getting fishing equipment moved over uneven surfaces. What have you moved on your HandiMoova?

39. Learn to play tennis. With Wimbledon now over, have your kids decided that tennis it to be their next big thing? Look out for summer schools at your local tennis club – they can be very good value and a good option for childcare. Tennis for Kids is a scheme run by the LTA which is great value as a starter package for kids aged from 4 to 11.

40. Organise a community picnic. Get your kids’ friends and their families together and organise a community picnic. All you need is to spread the word of a time and place and see who joins in.

41. Start a community walking group. Use social media to see if other families want to join in your walks and you’ll soon find you have a group of friends to walk with. Take it in turns to share your favourite walk or find new ones.

Days out for kids

If all else fails, a change of scenery is never a bad idea! There are hundreds of options for family days out all around the UK which can entertain children of all ages. Which of these have you been on and would you recommend?

42. Eureka Museum, Halifax. This is a mainly indoor attraction aimed at younger chidren. It teaches STEM topics such as the human body in a child-friendly way. It gets busy though, especially on rainy days. Their annual pass is very good value.

43. The Science Museum, London. This is a FREE museum which is excellent. It has a range of exhibits for all ages, including an impressive transport collection, and a good selection of temporary exhibitions and events.

46. National Railway Museum, York. A must-do for all fans of trains. This is a seriously huge collection of trains and railway paraphernalia. Again, it’s totally free and a handily short walk from York train station.

47. Ride a steam train – there are lots of options for this across the UK. If you’re Yorkshire way, have a look at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway – www.nymr.co.uk/ – which runs from Pickering to Whitby via Goathland station (which was Hogsmeade station in the Harry Potter films). Which is your favourite steam train route?

48. Visit a castle – There are around 1500 castle sites in England alone. Which is your favourite? How about visiting Sudeley Castle and Gardens in Gloucestershire? Or maybe Eastnor Castle in Worcestershire?

49. A day out (or even a weekend) at a music festival will keep your children occupied and then some. Festivals which are family-friendly are everywhere – how about the Just So Festival as recommended by Emma of Dirt, Diggers, and Dinosaurs?

50. Visit a birds of prey centre. How fascinating are birds of prey? We love them. Victoria of Free Time With The Kids recommends the Hawk Conservancy Trust in Hampshire. Have you seen birds of prey in action?

51. Visit a country park. There are soooooooo many country parks around the UK, most of which are free and child-friendly. Raimonda recommends Plean Country Park in Scotland for a visit or three over the summer.

52. Go Gruffalo hunting with the Forestry Commission. The Gruffalo and friends have numerous trails in Forestry Commission locations all around the country. You can follow his trail and find the main man himself, or take part in activity trails with Zog or Superworm – see the Forestry Commission website for how to find your nearest trail.

53. Visit a stately home. Go all Downton Abbey and visit your local stately home and gardens. Some allow access inside the main house, while others are for external gazing only. They are a fab place for a picnic and many have annual passes so you can get extra value from your visit. Which is your favourite stately home?

54. Go to a zoo. So many to choose from here. Which zoos have you visited that you would recommend. We like the ones with a safari drive too, such as Longleat, Woburn and Knowsley. Great for some monkey fun and actually ok for a rainy day too.

55. Visit a theme park. This is one for breaking the budget but we try to go to at least one theme park every summer break. We like Alton Towers but also the smaller ones such as Twinlakes in Nottinghamshire. Paulton’s Park is surprisingly good too – which would you recommend?

56. Go airplane spotting. If you live near a busy airport, then plane spotting is a good way to while away a couple of hours. Take care as some airports don’t like you getting too close, while others have rules about photography. Some airports, such as Manchester have specific zones for plane spotters which are free to use (parking fees apply if you arrive by car). Check our your local airport’s website for more information.

57. Pony Trekking! Have you ever been pony trekking? I’m not sure our garden is big enough for a whole pony so hiring one out for the morning to get our pony fix is the best. Prices vary across the UK and depending on party numbers, but you can get an hour on a pony for around £10 to £20 per person.

58. See a movie outdoors. Outdoor movies are becoming hugely popular. Drive-ins are all well and good but how many of us have a convertible? Venues for outdoor cinema include campsites, town squares, and even on boats on the Thames – check out this list of places to see a movie outdoors this Summer in London www.timeout.com/london/film/outdoor-cinema-in-london.

59. Visit a maize maze – my children love maize mazes. August is the ideal time to be visiting one as the maize is nice and tall and provides an extra challenge. Again, loads to choose from. Have you been to any you would recommend to others?

Whatever you get up to with your family this summer, we hope you have a good one!

Father’s Day is on the horizon – have you organised anything to show the father figure in your life how much they mean to you?

Father’s Day is a great excuse to get around to buying those items that he’s too careful/thrifty/tight to let you buy the rest of the year. “From the kids” is a wonderful guilt-free way of being able to justify buying “him” that box set or gadget you secretly (or not) want for yourself. Come on, we’ve all done it!

First of all….

When is Father’s Day in the UK?

In 2019, Father’s Day is on Sunday, 16th June In 2020, Father’s Day is on Sunday 21st June In 2021, Father’s Day is on Sunday 20th June

What to buy your dad on Father’s Day

If your dad is the outdoors and adventuring type, we have three great suggestions for items from our store that would be ideal for Father’s Day. Isn’t it handy that Father’s Day is right at the beginning of the summer?

The HandiRack

Our first recommendation is the HandiRack. This is a huge seller at all times of the year but especially in early summer when more of us start thinking about those camping trips (or taking the kids and their seemingly endless kit back to university in the autumn).

The HandiRack is an inflatable roof rack which fits most any car (please get in touch with us with your car make and model if you want to be certain). It deflates for easy storage and is a lot cheaper than a fixed roof rack. If you’re struggling to fit roof bars to your car and need to increase your carrying capacity, then the HandiRack could be a great option.

The HandiRack is also good for transporting watersports equipment such as Kayaks and surfboards, gardening equipment, and even the odd bench!

The HandiRack is available in black and limited edition Camo print. You can also buy them as part of a bundle deal with the HandiHoldall, which comes in various sizes/capacities.

You can see our HandiHoldall 175 litres with a huge range of other bits and bobs for the discerning (and well prepared) adventurer over on Bushwacker Man’s YouTube channel. Can you spot anything that would make a great gift for your dad?

The HandiMoova is a great piece of kit if your dad spends a lot of time lugging stuff about. They are good for getting kit across uneven ground, such as sand, gravel, up and down stairs, or across a muddy festival field. They make a fantastic addition to the garden, or for transporting more important “essentials”!

With the HandiWorld Car Boot Organiser you will give him less reason to moan. The organiser has lots of space to store “stuff” but folds down when not needed. It measures 57 x 37 x 32 cm and has a handy built-in red warning triangle, just incase!

With this, your dad can go back to just moaning about the house being lit up like a Christmas tree (or Blackpool) and the price of petrol.

We’re often asked about our recommendations for campsites for families in the UK, and sometimes in Europe. Now, we do have our favourites but we’re not you, and what suits us might not be the best campsite for you. So, we decided to ask some of the UK’s top parent bloggers for their recommended family campsites. Read on for a run-down of some family campsites which could be worth a look. Could one of these become your favourite?

Why camping is good for families

Yes we are biased but we know that camping is good for families. We love it! We’ve had our families camping from the children being very small and we can see how each trip has helped them to develop as individuals, and helped us to grow as a family.

Camping teaches skills such as everyone helping out. I think the first time one of our children had washed up was when camping. They also don’t seem averse to sweeping up debris, and taking the rubbish out when camping. Who knew?

Our family have learned that we can have fun without relying on electronic devices. The children have learned that can have as much fun with a pack of cards as with a Playstation. They have learned the art of stargazing, and making new friends down the camp play area. They can deal with new sleeping arrangements without making a fuss, and appreciate the art/science of being organised.

Camping is great for larger families especially; hotels don’t tend to cater for more than the standard 2 adults + 2 children. Larger hotel suites can carry an eye-watering price tag. Camping is much more wallet-friendly and frees up budget to do more fun stuff when on holiday.

What do you love about family camping trips?

The best UK family campsites

So here we are with a run-down of some of the UK’s top parenting bloggers favourite campsites. Could one of these become a firm favourite with you?

Camping in Surrey

Helen and her family enjoyed their trip to Polesden Lacey in Surrey. Though they had a pre-erected bell tent on their trip, you can take your own tent instead if you prefer.

Helen said “It’s in a National Trust site, so the surroundings are beautiful (and safe), and there’s lots to do. They let you have a campfire, and they sell the most amazing ice creams and wood fired pizza. Perfect for families.”

Holly recommends Hogsdown Farm, which is near Dursley, Gloucestershire.

Holly says “We love it because it’s cheap, it’s usually got great availability (if you’re happy to forgo electric hookup) and it’s on the doorstep to some great family days out. We’ve stayed there for as little as £11.50 a night, and it has a playground!”

Jade recommends Haven’s Wild Duck Park. It’s a campsite in a woodland setting but with a host of usual Haven Holidays facilities, such as the indoor pools and the entertainment led by Bradley Bear and friends.

Another Brittany recommendation comes from Katy who visited Mané-Guernehué, which is a Camping and Caravanning Club site near to Auray.

Katy says “It is a beautiful campsite, family friendly, great facilities on site including restaurant, takeaway, waterpark, indoor pool and wellness centre. For the kids there is a trampoline area, bouncy castle, play park and horse riding and kids club. We only planned a stay for three days as part of our road trip but I could have easily stayed longer.”

It’s hot tub season! Here at HandiWorld, we love our inflatable hot tubs. They are a great way of passing the time while relaxing on a long, hot summer evening – or even a short autumnal one! Hot tubs and spas have positive health benefits both physically and mentally. They can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and they are a brilliant addition to a home’s leisure kit.

What is putting you off owning an inflatable hot tub?

We find that most people are put off because they are not familiar with how to set one up and maintain it. Actually, it’s very easy once you get to know what you are doing. So here we have some pointers to help you make the decision whether to invest in a hot tub or spa for you and your family.

The 4 person version is £575.00 and the 6 person is £700.00. This is considerably cheaper than wooden hot tubs which retail from around £2,000.00 and fibre-glass hot tubs which retail from around £3,000.00 and more!

How easy is an inflatable hot tub to set up?

Very easy! There are two main parts; the tub with lid, and the power unit. Once the tub and lid are inflated (often the power unit can do the inflating), you connect the power unit and follow the instructions provided to start it off. You will also need to insert a filter, which are generally supplied with your hot tub.

The water is simply put in from your home’s water supply using a hose pipe. You add chemicals as per the instructions, and leave the water to heat up to the required temperature. Heating usually takes around 12 – 24 hours to heat the water from around 20 degrees up to 40 degrees.

After around 24 hours after the initial chemical insertion, you test the water using your testing strips and you’re good to go!

How long do inflatable hot tubs last?

Like a lot of hot tubs, the life of an inflatable hot tub depends on lots of things, like how often it is used and how you look after it. There are two main components to an inflatable hot tub; the tub itself and the power unit. Each needs to be looked after correctly to ensure a long life. The hot tubs that we sell come with a manufacturers guarantee of 12 months. We expect the hot tubs to last longer than this guarantee.

Do inflatable hot tubs have jets?

Yes. Well ours do anyway! Check before you buy if you specifically want jets, but we definitely know the ones we sell do. Our 4 person one has 120 heated bubble jets, and the 6 person has 140. The jets are worked by selecting the option on the power unit.

INTEX PureSpa Bubble Octagonal 4 Person

Do inflatable hot tubs use a lot of electricity?

An inflatable hot tub uses around £5.00 – £10.00 of electricity per week, depending on a few factors. To reduce energy use, you could turn down the temperature of the hot tub if you know you’re not going to be using it soon. Electricity is used for heating the water, and running the bubble jets.

You should set the power unit to your preferred temperature and let the hot tub do its thing. When you’re done, you simply replace the lid. You don’t need to fiddle with the settings every day. Making sure to put the lid on correctly to preserve the heat after use will mean the power unit uses less energy to get the water back up to the correct temperature each time.

What are the costs of running an inflatable hot tub?

Aside from the electricity, there are other things to take into account. These are:

Chemicals

Filters

Water

What chemicals for inflatable hot tub?

Chemicals – you will need a chemical kit to keep your hot tub’s water well balanced and hygienic. The main chemicals you will use are chlorine granules, PH+ liquid, PH- liquid, and foam reducer. You can buy these in a pack, or individually. As an example, a hot tub chemical starter kit including PH testing strips can be bought from Amazon for about £24.00, which should be more than enough to get you through the hot tub season. You may also be able to pick up these packs from a local store or garden centre.

You will likely need to top up the water with chlorine every day when used. You should dissolve the required amount (about a capful) in water before adding it to the hot tub to avoid clogging the filters with undissolved granules.

Filters – You should clean the filter every couple of uses, and change the filter every 4 – 6 weeks. Price of the filter depends on the size you need but expect to pay anything between £4.00 and £15.00 per filter. Again, these can be sourced fairly easily on Amazon, or your local store.

Water – If you are on a water meter then you need to consider the cost of the water itself. A hot tub can hold around 800 – 1000 litres, and you should change the water around every two weeks. If you find yourself using a lot of chlorine and foam reducer and you can’t see your feet when you sit down, it’s definitely time to get it changed! 1000 litres of water costs around £3.00 – £4.00 depending on your water supplier.

In total, a hot tub shouldn’t cost more than £50.00 – £60.00 a month to run.

How to drain/empty an inflatable hot tub

Emptying your inflatable hot tub is easy. They come with a drain point/plug in the base. You connect up a hose pipe and direct it into a drain. Once most of the water has drained away, it’s easy to prop up the hot tub and tip the remaining water onto your garden. A little water with spa chemicals in won’t do a lot of damage to your lawn and the garden might appreciate some extra water, come the summer.

Can inflatable hot tubs be used in winter?

Yes, an inflatable hot tub can be used in the winter, though you might want to empty it and bring it indoors during particularly frosty seasons. Energy use may increase through the winter as the power until will be working harder to maintain the water temperature, so if you know you won’t be using it in winter months, then you might want to consider putting off hot tub activity until the spring. However, using the hot tub in colder weather is very enjoyable and we can think of worse ways to spend the winter evenings!

INTEX PureSpa Bubble Octagonal 4 Person

Why an inflatable hot tub is better than a fibre glass hot tub

We prefer inflatable hot tubs to fibre glass ones for three main reasons.

They are significantly cheaper to buy.

They can be deflated and stored when not in use which saves on maintenance and running costs

They are nicer to sit in. Inflatable hot tubs are deep with a soft floor which we prefer to the hard base of a fibre glass tub.

Say goodbye to winter and get ready to greet spring. Whilst the temperature is beginning to warm up and lighter evenings are approaching, it is the perfect time to plan excursions. Are you going kayaking? An inflatable kayak could be a good option, but which is the best? Here at HandiWorld, we provide high-quality inflatable Kayaks, and we think they’re all pretty good.

Here’s our guide to what to look for in an inflatable kayak…

So, which inflatable kayak is the best?

We don’t know about the best but we really like the INTEX Challenger Kayak K1 and K2. They’re ideal for both those kayakers who are experienced and those at beginner level.

Although kayaking may seem like a challenging activity to maintain, this inflatable kayak is specially designed to better those who are unexperienced. Buying the right kayak that’s suitable for your level of experience is important because you can learn how to Kayak effectively. Let’s face it, there is no pleasure in struggling! On the other hand, for those who are more advanced, this kayak is well equipped with all the essentials to meet your needs, therefore you don’t have to go through the hassle of buying them separately.

There is a choice of buying either the K1 or the K2. If you like to paddle solo, then the INTEX Challenger K1 Kayak is ideal for you.

They both have plenty of room for your legs if like to stretch and move them around. If you get uncomfortable easily from being sat down for some time, don’t worry – this kayak has supportive seats with backrests. The K1 and K2 include 1 x high out-put pump and 1 x 220cm aluminium oar.

Unsure on where’s best to go? Why not go kayaking at Anglesey in Wales, Cragside in Northumberland, or even on the West Coast of Scotland? With a breath-taking scenery and plenty to explore, these three destinations are at the top of the list of places to visit in the UK. Looking for other options? Then visit NationalTrust.org. There are plenty more great recommendations of places that’s worth visiting.

If you’re planning on visiting a large area and worried about paddling away from your group, don’t panic. You can easily spot the bright vibrant green that features on the kayak from a long-distance. Even though it seems that you’re a mile away from each other, seeing the colour means that you’re closer than you thought!

How easy is it to use an inflatable kayak?

Inflatable kayaks weigh lightly on top of the water which makes it much easier to direct and control when you’re kayaking towards your target destination. Also, the turning radius is simpler because there is less effort to put in.

If you’re a beginner, the lightness of this kayak will make easy for you to develop your kayaking skills. As for the experienced, you’ll find kayaking in the INTEX Challenger an absolute joy!

If you first-timers are wanting more in-depth information about kayaking, Seeker.com offers plenty of guidance with this article Kayaking for beginners – what you need to know.

How to transport an inflatable kayak?

Transporting an inflatable kayak is very straight forward. If the kayak is uninflated stored in its case, then you can place it in the boot or back of your car. Or, if it’s inflated you can tie it down to a rack on top of your vehicle. Make sure the kayak is laid on a side to avoid complications and help secure it. Haven’t got a roof rack? We have a range of great quality inflatable roof rackbundle offers.

Once you have arrived at your destination, you will then have to transport the kayak through using a kart by hand to travel from your car to the water. Using a kart is a smart way to move your kayak as you’ll avoid damaging it and it’s effortless to move. Not got a kart? No problem! We have the HandiKart kayak trolley.

What are the advantages of inflatable kayaks?

Easier to transport and store

Inflatable kayaks are lighter than fibre-glass kayaks so are much more portable. Room is less of an issue as they don’t use much of it up once deflated. Setting up an inflatable kayak is hassle-free, all you need to do is attach the pump to the air pipe; no fixing pieces together or building is involved.

Better value

If you’re on a budget, buying an inflatable is cost effective as they’re much less expensive compared to fibre-glass kayaks. Although inflatable kayaks are not particularly fragile, they are easy to repair and cheaper if you do happen to have an accident. All you need to do is plaster on the repair patch to the kayak, and you’re ready to paddle again.

When you’re wanting to make the most of your leisure time but are limited on space and budget, an inflatable kayak could be a great investment. Have a look at our range of inflatable boats and kayaks and get out there!

At HandiWorld, we love a good music festival, and the UK has plenty to choose from! There’s not much that matches the atmosphere and feeling of a weekend in a muddy field listening to your favourite bands. We take a look at some of the top UK festivals in 2019 – who are you looking forward to seeing this year?

This is a festival popular with families (kids under 12 get in free with accompanying adults) and is a lot more intimate than Glasto or Leeds/Reading. While 2018’s acts included Kasabian, The Killers, and Depeche Mode, there’s no official confirmation of any acts as yet for 2019.

Fresh from its ‘fallow year’ in 2018, the UK’s most famous festival is back with aplomb in 2019. This year, headliners are Stormzy and Janelle Monáe, and the lauded Sunday teatime slot will be filled by Kylie. More acts will be announced over the coming weeks, no doubt. Not that there isn’t plenty to do here without seeing a single act on one of Glastonbury’s many stages.

All tickets (around 200,000) were sold out in half an hour, even before the headline acts were announced, which shows how eagerly anticipated the return of this long-running festival has been. Did you manage to bag yourself a ticket? If not, there may be some available come April, though you need to register on the Glastonbury website first.

Southwold, Suffolk is the location for this very family-friendly festival. Kids of all ages are catered for well with a huge choice of activities and entertainment for little ones, and for those aged 12+ too.

Line-up has yet to be confirmed on this one but tickets are already on sale. Acts in 2018 included a set on the BBC Music Stage from Liam Gallagher, sessions by comedians James Acaster and Harry Hill, and festival faves The Killers. Lots to do. You could even try lake swimming! Bring your trunks.

In a date clash with the huge Leeds and Reading festivals, Creamfields offers something a little different – something for the dance music fans. With a line-up that includes Canadian electro pioneer deadmau5, and electronic supergroup Swedish House Mafia, this is sure to be the festival for technoheads everywhere. Strictly over 18s, there’s a range of camping options to suit all levels of pickiness!

Since Reading’s first festival in 1989, and sister festival Leeds’ following ten years later in 1999, many amazing acts have graced the stages of either or both. This year, the line-ups include Twenty-One Pilots, The Foo Fighters, and Post Malone. Full schedule to be confirmed, and tickets are still available for one or all of the days.

Is the Beast from the East that hit us in March 2018 about to return in the next few weeks? It’s the same old story; some say it is, some say it isn’t, and no-one will really know until nearer the time, if it strikes at all. But if there’s one thing us Brits love, it’s speculating on the weather.

Whether the Beast returns or not, it’s fair to say that the weather will probably get worse over the coming weeks – it usually does! It’s not unusual for it to snow in January and February – indeed in 2018, it was the end of February when the worst of the wintry weather hit the UK, and there was a smaller encore in March. Just because we didn’t have a white Christmas and we seem to have made it into the New Year with reasonably mild weather does not mean we have made it safely to spring just yet.

Our main area of expertise is travel and adventure. While the snow and ice may make your daily travels more of an adventure, when you want to be at work, or doing the school run, it can get a bit tedious and more dangerous. In cases of really bad weather, travel at all can be impossible and the odd snow-day or a day working from home could be for the best!

For those days where travel is possible but the winter weather is impacting, then good management goes a long way. The Met Office have provided a useful list of vehicle checks to make before a journey, which become more important in times of bad weather. It’s also a good time to check that you have cold weather kit in your car such as a blanket, a shovel, and tyre mats, just in case.

Is it illegal to drive with an icy windscreen?

One question we see being asked is if, as a motorist, you can be prosecuted for not clearing your icy windscreen fully? The short answer is yes you can. While the law isn’t totally clear, it is an offence to cause danger to others. Not demisting your windscreen inside and out, and having snow on your car’s roof which could fly off could potentially cause problems for yourself and others.

Well, it’s kind of you to ask! While we don’t profess to have tried out every single ice scraper available, we do know that the ones we stock from KUNGS are very, very good. They are designed and manufactured for motorists in Finland, and they know a thing or two about motoring through snow and ice.

KUNGS winter products are designed, tested and manufactured in extreme Finnish winter conditions in their own factory in Kokemäki, Finland. The KUNGS philosophy is to produce the best products in each segment. KUNGS are a growing, family business, and take a great pride of being today the market leader in Northern Europe for car winter accessories.

This is an ice-scraper in a glove and we can vouch that it is extremely comfortable and warm. The ice-scraper is ultra-strong, being made from frost-proof polycarbonate, and it includes several features that really add utility to it such as a wiper blade clearing notch. It also comes with a 3-year warranty – you can’t say that about your average pound shop ice-scraper!

Do you have an adventurer in your life? Whether your favourite adventurer likes getting out and about in a car or on their trusty bike (or two!), Christmas is a great time to fuel their indulgence for travel and the outdoors. But what do you buy the intrepid adventurer who has everything?

While none of us need more ‘stuff’ in our lives to have to find homes for, gifts which encourage us to get out into the outdoors and enhance our travel experience can only be a good thing. With these gifts you’re giving motivation, inspiration, and the enhanced enjoyment of travel, and while a round-the-world ticket could be an amazing gift for someone, it might need a few more Christmasses before that one can be afforded!

So here’s our guide to realistic but still appreciated travel gifts for Christmas.

Halfords have these very handy Bikehut bike storage tents which are perfect for storing bikes in when on a camping trip. They can store up to three bikes. It’s easy to pitch and has UV protection.

If your adventurer’s choice mode of transport is more four-wheeled than two, how about this car boot organiser? This is a durable storage system with space for all of your adventurer’s treasures (or junk). It also has a built in red warning triangle, which could come in very useful when they get into a tight spot.

Talking of cars, have you seen the winter range from KUNGS? We are one of only a few retailers in the UK selling these top-quality Finnish products – they’ve been developed and tested in Finland, a country that knows a thing or two about motoring through wintry weather. This could be the most money you’ve ever spent on an ice-scraper but with good reason. This gloved ice-scraper is a real boon on cold mornings.

For the camping lovers, this pop-up emergency camping light could be a key piece of camping kit. This folds down to take up minimal space and can be used as either a lantern or a torch. Don’t forget the batteries!

Last but not least, we LOVE this scratch off map (with flags) from TravelNuts. Scratch off each country as you visit and steadily turn the gold area into a patchwork of colour. How many of these countries is your adventurer planning to visit?Are you well-known for your adventuring? We’d love to know what your loved ones bought you to help along your wanderlust this Christmas.

The time has come for freshers all over the country to relocate to their new home at university but there’s no denying that the move to uni is a big operation.

No matter how light you try to pack, it’s inevitable that there’s going to be a lot of stuff you need to take with you to set yourself up in your new accommodation, so we’re going to be sharing with you some top tips to help you organise your move and get as much in the car as possible.

Pack Your Stuff in Bags/Boxes You’ll Use at Uni

The classic cardboard boxes may be a practical option for packing up your stuff but packing like that can not only get expensive with having to buy all the boxes but will also be a nightmare when it comes to unpacking at the other end.

What do you do with all those cardboard boxes when you get your new room? Bin them? Shove them under your bed? Make your parents take them back with them? The best way to utilise the space in the back of the car and in your new room is to pack your stuff in bags and boxes you’ll use when you’re at uni.

Pack your clothes in suitcases because you’ll need those for trips with your course or when you come home to visit. If you’re taking storage boxes to decorate your room with, fill them with your stuff instead of random plastic boxes you won’t need once you’re unpacked.

This tip helps maximise room in the back of the car and reduces how much stuff your parents will be lugging back with them.

Unbox/Unwrap Anything with Excess Packaging

Things like bedding, new storage units and so on, they’re probably all wrapped in so many layers of unnecessary packaging that is not only bulky and makes things twice the size for packing but you’ll also have to get rid of all that packaging when you’re done unpacking in your new room.

Unboxing or unwrapping new things you’ve bought will reduce them in size and make them easier to pack, leaving more room in the car for other things.

Invest in a Roof Box

We’re more talking to the parents reading now, desperately wondering how they’re going to cram all their child’s belongings into the boot before making the cross-country drive – don’t worry, we’ve got the ultimate car storage solution.

The HandiRack and HandiHoldall are the ultimate pair to help you get everything you need in the car ready for the journey ahead. There’s going to be a lot of stuff, so we’d recommend going all out with the HandiRack and 400-litre HandiHoldall bundle to provide yourself with the optimum amount of room.

The HandiRack is an inflatable roof rack that fits to most cars with a hard roof and no metal roof bars and can be attached in minutes whilst the 400-litre HandiHoldall is our largest capacity soft roof box that can hold plenty of belongings and is totally waterproof, hence these two items are must-have accessories for the university move.

Pack Your Heaviest Items into the Car First

Try and be methodical when packing the car and don’t try and throw suitcases full of clothes on top of that new mirror you’ve bought, you’ll soon hear a smash.

When you’re getting ready to start packing, bring everything out the house in order, starting with the heaviest items as they need to go in first. Don’t be fooled though, the heaviest items aren’t always the largest, so you’ll have to pick everything up and go off how it feels opposed to how big it looks.

Getting to university and realising half of what you’ve brought is broken because you didn’t pack properly is not a great start.

Use a Check List

Whether you download a ‘what to pack for university’ list off the internet or simply write out your own with all the things you want and need to take, having a checklist to use as you’re loading up the car will stop you realising halfway down the motorway that you forgot something you either really wanted to bring or really needed.

Check off your list as you’re packing your stuff into bags and boxes and then check it all off again when you’re loading up the car, this way you can be 100% sure you’ve got everything you could possibly want or need.

The university move can feel pretty overwhelming but hopefully, with the help of these top tips, you’ll be able to make light work of heading off to your new home!

Have you got any top tips for moving to university? Share them with us on Twitter or Facebook!